The last game of 2024 saw Holt at home against local rivals Wymondham. Promoted to level 6 this season they have had a reasonable start to their first year at this level, currently sitting mid table. Holt in their 2nd season at this level, have of course found wins and points, difficult to earn this season. With just one win they sit second from bottom in the league. However, thanks to the demise of Dagenham who withdrew from the league at the start of the season there will be only one team relegated this season. Holt should be able to stay in this league for next season if things stay as they are, however one win from Stowmarket would put them level on points with Holt. So, they're not safe by a long way. They must find a way to gather some points to put some distance between themselves and Stowmarket. The previous meeting played at Wymondham resulted in a narrow one point win to Wymondham so hopes were high that with the home advantage, Holt might manage to put a smile on a large proportion of the very numerous supports who lined the pitch side, and reverse the early season defeat.

Holt kicked off, Wymondham returned running the ball but giving away a penalty on half way. Jackson went for touch but over cooked it and the ball was kept in play. Once more Wymondham gave away a penalty this time about 30m out, Pete Medler went for the posts but dragged the ball wide. Jackson fielded the drop out and immediately spread the ball wide to McConnel who in turn offloaded to Gill who, again in turn off loaded to Tom Goose, Goose seeing the gap accelerated and went round the Wymondham defence, outsprinting them he went 40m for a try. The conversion by Gill missed.

5mins: Holt 5 Wymondham 7

Wymondham attacked from the restart, driving Holt back into their own 22. A penalty saw them gain a line out on the Holt 5m line. A good catch and drive enabled them to advance further but solid defence kept them out and Holt won a penalty. Jackson cleared Holt’s lines up to about 35m out. Holt won the ball and Jackson once again kicked for territory but the ball was judged to have gone straight into touch. The line was bought back to 30m out. Clean ball enabled Wymondham to attack. A chip over the Holt defence and a good chase saw them cross for their first try. The conversion was successful.

15 mins: Holt 5 Wymondham 7

5 mins later Wymondham once again found themselves deep in the Holt 22. From a 5m scrum they spread the ball wide, a good line through the middle bought about their 2nd try. The conversion missed.

20 mins: Holt 5 Wymondham 12

A Holt penalty on the Wymondham 10m line enabled Jackson to advance Holt up to the Wymondham 5m line. A front ball at the line out caught Wymondham napping and Harry Yarbo galloped over for Holts 2nd score. Jackson missed the kick from out wide.

25 mins: Holt 10 Wymondham 12

At 30 mins, veteran prop Chris Hill took a blow to the face cutting his nose and was replaced by 18 year old debutant Freddy Carter. (A well known name in Holts history!) A Wymondham scrum on half way saw them attack and drive Holt into their own half. Another scrum to followed, once again they attacked through the backs, broke through the Holt defence and ran in their third try. The conversion was good,

34 mins: Holt 10 Wymondham 19

Matt Woodrow was replaced by Arthur Loose. A Wymondham penalty on the Holt 22 enabled them to extend their lead to 22 points on 40 mins.

40 mins: Holt 10 Wymondham 22

Wymondham still weren't done. With referee indicating more time to play Wymondham attacked once more from the restart. A Holt scrum on half way was turned over, Wymondham spread the ball wide and effectively, running straight through the Holt defence to score their 4th , and bonus point try. The con was good.

45 mins: Holt 10 Wymondham 29 (half Time)

Holt dominated the first 20 mins of the second half, keeping Wymondham pegged mostly in their own half, but despite the possession and territorial advantage were unable to crack the Wymondham defence, then on 20 mins another Holt attack saw Gill chip the Wymondham defence. Medler was just beaten to the ball however Holt fielded the drop out and once more advanced. Gill seeing Jackson unmarked out wide kick passed into the corner, both the kick and Jackson’s run were timed to perfection. Jackson winning the aerial battle to catch the kick and score Holts 3rd try. The conversion was missed from out wide.

20 mins: Holt 15 Wymondham 29

On 30 mins Wymondham won a penalty on the Holt 10m line. They went for the posts successfully.

30 mins: Holt 15 Wymondham 32

Holt went forward again advancing once more into Wymondham territory but were penalised some 30m out. Wymondham kicked to Holt’s 22. Spreading the ball Wymondham went over for their 5th try. The conversion was good.

35 mins: Holt 15 Wymondham 39

Once more Holt advanced deep into the Wymondham 22 but time was up and Wymondham hoofed the ball into touch to bring the game to an end.

Final score: Holt 15 Wymondham 39

Tries – Tom Goose, Tom Jackson and Harry Yarbo

Congratulations to our MoonGazer man of the match Freddy Carter great debut holding the front solid against a much bigger and vastly more experienced opposition. A great future!

DOTD Charlie Cowling, hasn't been DOTD yet this season , so it’s his turn!

From the sidelines its looking as though Holt are starting to become panicky as the pressures of chasing a win appear to be telling but there is no need. We’re doing the right stuff, a couple of lucky breaks and everything will look very different. A long trip down to current league leaders Westcliff in the new year won’t make life any easier but they must keep digging, it will come. Boxing day will be a welcome break from the pressures of league rugby when a Holt XV take on a Presidents XV, 10 KO. Rugby for fun. Enjoy it.

Meanwhile on the second team pitch Holt 3rds, led in the absence of regular skipper Ben Perowne, by Neil Robertson took on Crusaders. Holt were going for their 5th straight win. Crusaders have recently pulled their first team from the league structure, so their 2nds, who remain in the league structure are now mostly populated by their 1st team players. So Holt 3rds, led by Neil Robertson took on Crusaders 2nds.

Holt 3rds: 24 Crusaders 2nds 31

MOTM Ben Johnson
DOTD Tom Gardiner

Special mention to stand in skipper Neil Robertson! Well done to Ben who has manufactured an amazing group of players and characters in his 3rd team family. They deserve the success they’re currently having. Let hope it continues in the new year.

Happy Christmas and an enjoyable and prosperous new year to everyone involved at Holt RFC. We cant do a thing without the amazing support that you give, (especially 3rd team stand in skipper Neil Robertson.